Throughout Winter Term and Spring Semester, Vice President for Student Life Jon Dooley is providing regular email update messages to keep students and parents informed about the efforts related to COVID-19.
Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,
Current status
- Elon’s current COVID-19 alert level is “Level 1 – Moderate Alert.” Information about the updated Alert Level system is available online here.
- Since last week’s email update, Elon has received reports of 32 PCR-confirmed cases of COVID-19 among students and employees. As of yesterday afternoon, there were an estimated total of 35 active cases, with 75 students in quarantine or isolation.
- Between December 30 and yesterday, January 12, the university administered 6,190 antigen and PCR tests to students, faculty, and staff, with 45 positive test results – a 0.7 percent positivity rate. Positive antigen tests are immediately followed by a PCR test to confirm the results. Details on the arrival testing process are available online here.
Key testing details
- Students arriving late to campus should click here to sign up for the mandatory arrival testing late appointments offered January 13, 14, 15, and 17.
- Test results are posted on your My Readiness page (www.Elon.edu/MyReadiness).
- Look for emails later this week from the R&R committee about signing up for mandatory weekly undergraduate student testing beginning next Tuesday, January 19.
- Undergraduates must test every week during Winter Term and Spring Semester.
- Graduate students will be required to test Feb. 1-7 and will be offered monthly testing going forward.
- Staff and faculty will be offered an optional test Jan. 19-29; they will be required to test Feb. 1-7 and will have the option of monthly testing during Spring Semester.
Learning guide, attendance, and resources for students
In response to challenges students expressed about fall semester, the Information for Students page has been updated with new resources, including:
- A Learning Guide that provides strategies for student success, including guidance for adjusting to blended, hybrid and online learning environments, tips for attending class virtually, best practices for utilizing video conferencing platforms and campus resources.
- Updated Academic Policies & Information, including updated attendance policies and expectations.
- Learning and well-being resources and strategies for connecting/engaging on campus.
Healthy and fun engagement this spring
- Phoenix Connect remains an important resource for information about student organization and university activities – including in-person events, as well as virtual. Logging in with your university credentials is necessary to view the full schedule of activities.
- In-person events on campus continue to be a safe form of engagement and connection, since they follow university event and gathering guidelines.
- Student Involvement staff are ready to assist student organizations with hosting meetings and events this spring and helping students find connections with student organizations and involvement opportunities.
- The revised Healthy Elon Commitment outlines the shared practices that will protect our community and limit the spread of the virus.
- Campus expectations for Shared Responsibility and Accountability describe student conduct outcomes expected for violations of university COVID-related policies and local/state orders.
- The Town of Elon emergency declaration continues to limit non-university sponsored and unregistered social gatherings to no more than 10 persons indoors and 25 persons outdoors.
Update your contact information, emergency contacts, and E-Alert subscription
The beginning of the semester is an important time to take steps to ensure your safety and ability to receive important information.
- Students should update emergency contact information and phone and local address here as soon as possible. Time is precious in a life-threatening emergency and it is important to know who to contact and where emergency response resources can reach you.
- Students, faculty and staff should verify their subscriptions and settings for the E-Alert text notification system. Information, links and help guides are available online here.
Wellness moment and Chaplain’s reflection
In 2019 Elon adopted an Act-Belong-Commit wellness framework. The beginning of a new academic term is a good time to reflect on how we enact new year’s intentions (Act), connect with someone we have not seen or interacted with in awhile (Belong), and engage in activities that provide purpose and meaning (Commit). The Elon Act-Belong-Commit website provides tools and other resources for the community to encourage a mentally healthy Elon.
University Chaplain Jan Fuller’s weekly reflection is offered to help us in our search for meaning during this challenging time – this week’s reflection, “The Gifts of Being Alone,” can be found here on the Truitt Center blog.
What to do if you feel ill
If you feel ill or experience COVID-19 symptoms, avoid all contact with others. Stay at home and in your room. Do not go to class, work, dining halls, etc. Additional guidance for students, faculty, and staff on what to do if you feel ill is on the Ready and Resilient website.
Information is updated regularly on the Elon Ready & Resilient website. The next weekly COVID-19 update will be sent to all students, faculty and staff at 12:15 p.m. next Wednesday, January 20, unless an earlier message is warranted.
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Dr. Jon Dooley
Vice President for Student Life